reuse

The Gap has teamed up with the COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN denim drive this March to help bring more used denim into the program. Right now through March 14th, if you take in used denim to any Gap store they’ll donate it to COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN and you’ll get 30% off any new denim purchase.

The COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN program takes donated cotton jeans and converts the used denim to UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation. The insulation is then provided to communities in need to assist with building efforts.

According to the program:

UltraTouch is composed of 85% recycled cotton fibers and is an environmentally safe, non-itch insulation without carcinogenic warnings, formaldehyde or chemical irritants. It provides exceptional thermal performance and acoustically provides 30% better sound absorption than traditional fiberglass insulation. In addition, it is one of the only insulating products that contain an active mold/mildew inhibitor.

Since the start of the COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN program they’ve helped to build 180 houses through Habitat for Humanity affiliates. This is a great time to clean out your closets and make sure that your clothing actually gets re-purposed for a good cause; plus of course you’ll get that discount.

Offer valid from March 5, 2010 through March 14, 2010 in the U.S. only at Gap, GapKids, and babyGap stores.

Tagged as: cotton reuse, Gap, Green Family, green living, reuse, used denim

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In My plan to cut out excess packaging, I discussed my plans for cutting out excess packaging this year. However, first I need to know which packaging I have that’s excessive and can be cut, so a small green home audit about said packaging is in order.

soap with natural ingredients

I went through my bathroom and found the following packaging – along side each I’ve made notes about which I can cut and which I’m not so sure about.

Packaging in my bathroom:

Organic Body wash – this was an unnecessary impulse buy and one I don’t need it and two I can cut it by using unwrapped bar soap, homemade body wash, or fill a reusable container with body wash at the natural food store.
Organic Shampoo – I rarely use shampoo and don’t need a special kind so I can get a refillable bottle instead.
Conditioner – I have naturally curly hair (blah) and use a super charged, really good organic conditioner. Since I can’t find a decent conditioner in bulk, I don’t know if I can cut this. One option is to make my own conditioner. I make hair masques, but I’ll have to look into conditioner.
Organic face wash – I should make my own like I used to, but not sure if I want to. I like my current face wash.
All natural facial grains – I LOVE these facial grains, but I can make my own in a reusable container, they’re not as good IMO, but close.
Organic shaving cream – well, I could quit shaving, or figure out how to make my own. This is a bath product I haven’t ever tried to make though, so I’m not sure. We’ll call this a maybe.
Razors – I use recycled razors from Preserve. Right now I like shaving, so I suppose I’ll keep them, but I don’t love how the Preserve razors work. My goal is to find an eco-razor I like better.
Bath scrubby – I usually have a washable bath scrubby in the tub, most of the time made of natural hemp – right now though for the last year I’ve been using one made with organic cotton fibers. Since I use them to death and rewash, I’m not concerned.
Lip gloss – OMG I have so much lip gloss that it’s embarrassing. I LOVE lip gloss, especially my Tarte lip gloss. I think though what I’ll do is just commit to buying new Tarte and one take along organic lip gloss when I run out, then recycle the packaging. Another option is to make my own lip gloss more often.
Deodorant – This is one of the biggest baddies in my bathroom. I don’t buy organic or natural because I’ve never found one I like that works. Trust me, I’ve tried a ton too. The perfect goal would be to find a healthier one that works in less packaging, but I’m not holding my breath.